Hiking shoes Vasque Women's Horizon Mid
Hiking shoes with unknown waterproof treatment; PFAS status unclear.
Vasque does not disclose PFAS or water-repellent coating chemistry for this model. Outdoor footwear typically receives water-repellent treatment, historically often PFAS-based, but current formulation unknown.
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Material
Leather/nubuck upper, synthetic/rubber sole, likely water-repellent coating-treated
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
water-repellent coating degradation and unknown composition
Vasque does not publicly specify whether the factory water-repellent coating treatment uses PFAS-based fluorochemicals or safer alternatives. Nubuck leather's fuzzy surface can trap and retain water-repellent chemicals; degradation over time is normal and requires re-treatment.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nubuck and leather processing often involves chrome tanning and formaldehyde-releasing resins in top finishes. No product-specific test data is publicly available, but tannery practices vary widely. Direct skin contact is low-risk for already-tanned finished leather.
Source: ATSDR ↗Synthetic overlays and adhesive offgassing
Synthetic reinforcements and stitching adhesives may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) initially, particularly if glues are solvent-based. This is typical of footwear and risk decreases with airing and use over time.
Azo dye residues in leather and synthetic dyes
Nubuck and synthetic overlays may use azo-based dyes, which can release carcinogenic amines under certain conditions (sweat, heat). No product-specific testing is on record; risk is low but heightened if shoes are worn in high-heat conditions without washing.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester/synthetic reinforcements
Antimony trioxide is used as a catalyst in polyester synthesis but typically remains embedded in the polymer matrix. No specific contamination reports exist for Vasque or this shoe model; risk is negligible for finished footwear.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Horizon Mid uses nubuck leather (a fuzzy, sanded leather finish) on the upper paired with synthetic overlays and a rubber/synthetic sole. Nubuck requires specific maintenance to preserve water resistance without relying solely on chemical coatings. The shoe's waterproofing likely depends on a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment applied during manufacturing, but Vasque does not publicly disclose whether this uses PFAS-based fluorochemicals or alternatives. Rubber soles are generally chemically stable and low-risk for leaching.
The brand's record and disclosure
Vasque, owned by Red Wing Shoes, does not maintain public commitment statements on PFAS reduction or waterproof chemistry transparency. No major product recalls related to chemical safety have been documented for this specific shoe model. The brand offers minimal information about water-repellent coating treatment composition on product labels or websites, placing the burden on consumers to infer safety. Industry-wide, many outdoor footwear brands still use legacy PFAS-based water treatments without disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Hiking shoes in this mid-range price tier ($120-$160) typically use either PFAS-based water-repellent coating or fluorocarbon coatings; PFAS-free alternatives exist but remain less common among mainstream outdoor brands. Vasque's leather construction is a strength, as leather naturally provides some water resistance compared to synthetic uppers that depend entirely on chemical treatments. Premium competitors (Danner, Salomon) sometimes specify PFAS-free treatments or provide treatment details; budget brands rarely disclose either way. This shoe sits in a gray zone: solid construction but opaque chemistry.
If you buy it
Maintain nubuck with a soft brush after each use to preserve the fuzzy surface and water-shedding properties; this reduces reliance on chemical coatings degrading. Avoid machine washing and extreme heat (above 140F). Reapply a nubuck-specific conditioner or water repellent annually; if you do so, choose a PFAS-free product (wax-based or silicone alternatives exist) to offset manufacturing uncertainty. Replace when the sole shows visible tread wear or the upper develops tears, typically 12-24 months of moderate hiking use.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Vasque has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.